New or used jazz bass?

[n8dawg64]

I have a 4 string fender mim jazz bass that has great tone and has lasted me four about 4-5 years, but the bass is'nt really good for performing and i feel like it is not using my backline bass amp to its full potential. I play for my church, play jazz and r&b type music. I am now looking for a 5 string jazz bass with active pickups for under $1000. I have looked at new and used basses from companies like fender, lakland, peavey, mtd, tobias, spector, schecter, and etc. I found a used tobias for under $800 looks beautiful. I also found a used mtd kingston kx for under $900. Fender jazz basses have gone up in price so I dont know if i would get the value for the money. Laklands are always great. Could somebody give me some advice.

 

[lousybassplayer]

Well this thread could go all types of ways, but FWIW, I just got my first MTD Kingston, a Z6, and I am blown away by it. That being said, you can't really go wrong with a used MIA, a Lakland, or most of the other stuff you listed.

 

[543432321234]

I would recommend some type of Ibanez bass. they have a lot of options, and are built great, even the cheap ones.

 

[progrmr]

No matter what you're looking for, I'd try to find it on the used market first - you can save a bundle and probably get an instrument that has already been professionally setup (granted you might not like the previous owners settings) and be in very good condition.

Scrutinize the purchase, but it is a buyers market for gear right now. Of course if buying used gives you a bad "vibe" then I would just buy new and spend the extra $$$. Personnally I will only buy new if what I need can't be had on the used market anywere.

 

[PSPookie]

Buy used and go with the one that makes you feel all tingly inside when you see it.

There are tons of good jazz-style basses out there in your price range . . . if you buy used. Plus, if you decide later that you don't like it you can sell it for what you paid.

 

[n8dawg64]

Yeah i know that tingly feeling your talking about. this tobias is giving me that feeling problem is ive never played a tobias and the store thats selling it isnt local. but i know alot of people play them and i think i can get a full refund if i dont like how it sounds. let me show you some pics of it

 

[lousybassplayer]

methinks those are two different basses there.

 

[n8dawg64]

yeah i meant to add about the mtd. thats the used one i looked at.